Hazlewood Castle Wedding Photographer | Herezel and Simon

Zel and Simon's wedding took place on the last weekend in October, just before the clocks went back and Zel especially had been hoping that the autumn leaves would still be attached to the trees so that the couple would have the spectacular backdrop of beautiful colours in some of their photographs.  As Hazlewood Castle wedding photographers, we've covered autumn weddings at this venue before, we know how fabulous it looks and we were delighted that Zel got her wish. 

The girls were having make-up done when we arrived to begin our coverage of the bridal preparations in the Jasmine Suite.  Zel's fabulous dress was perfectly arranged on a mannequin and we had some laughs as we photographed her accessories and the girls enjoyed the champagne.  We were invited to join in but declined as champagne and professional wedding photography don't really go together! 

We knew that Simon was arriving by helicopter and this was something which had to be captured so we left the girls a little earlier than usual so that we could be in place beside the main lawn well in advance of his arrival with his brothers.  

The couple married in a civil ceremony in the Victoria Room with a small number of family members in attendance, after which there was a short break whilst Zel changed her veil to a longer one and everyone took their places in the chapel for the blessing, conducted by the wonderful Reverend Ian Walton who is such an accommodating, friendly and good humoured vicar.  He is the only one we have ever worked with who invites the photographer at the front of the chapel to step forward for the ring exchange in order to get the best photographs.  What a diamond he is!

Our plan after the ceremony was to take the group photographs in the courtyard as this area offers some shelter from the cold and the wind.  We had our fingers crossed that we wouldn't have to move inside just yet and although the rain was well and truly threatening and a spot of two was felt immediately after the big group and confetti, it did hold off - just.

The bridal party joined us for some fun photographs and even though the ground was pretty soggy, they were all fantastic and worked with us to get the photographs Zel and Simon wanted.  Once they had left, it was couple time and our favourite time at a wedding when we can work with the bride and groom alone.  At this time of year, daylight is limited to what you have before the wedding breakfast and it means that working fast is essential to make the most of it.  This includes any action shots and Zel doing a twirl to show off her fabulous dress was one of those.  

Simon and Zel were fantastic company, lovely to work with and very understanding when it came to us having to work quickly to maximise their choice of photographs around the grounds, including, just for Zel, some featuring those spectacular autumn colours.  

After the wedding breakfast, the couple requested some photographs in the Elderflower Suit before they headed back downstairs to their evening party, buffet and first dance.

Thank you for booking us to capture your lovely autumn wedding and congratulations to you both!

To book us as your wedding photographers at Hazlewood Castle, please give us a call on 01977 730159 and please follow us on Facebook.

Wedding Photography Hazlewood Castle | Pamela and Aidan

We first met Pam and Aidan at a wedding fair before they had set a date and it was great to receive the call, some time later, to tell us that they had named the day and booked Hazlewood Castle for their wedding reception.

Now you'd hope that a wedding in the middle of June would mean decent weather but we had just about everything thrown at us on their wedding day - bright sunshine, wind, drizzle and torrential rain.  However, we took it in our stride, used brollies when we needed to and were thankful that the guys' and the bridesmaids' photographs at the church, Pam's arrival with her dad, Henry, and congratulations afterwards were able to be taken outside without having to use the umbrellas. 

We made an early start with the girls in the Lavendar Suite to capture the activity as Pam got ready, leaving a while later to join the boys in the Vavasour Restaurant as they fixed cravats, cufflinks and buttonholes.  We returned to Pam as she was getting into her amazing dress and just before her mum and dad arrived, enabling us to capture their reactions as they saw their daughter as a bride for the first time.

The pretty Edward the Confessor Church in Clifford, near York was the location for the Catholic wedding ceremony and having met the priest already, we knew that there were absolutely no restrictions on photography.  After the ceremony and congratulations, we took the bridal party back inside for a photograph at the altar as this was something Pam and Aidan really wanted.

The weather continued to hold up as we left the church but as we were driving to the venue, the heavens opened.  Plans to take photographs with the car on the lane had to be abandoned in favour of taking them in the courtyard where there's more shelter and by the time we got there, the rain had eased to more of a drizzle.

We spent a bit of time with the bridal party on the bus the couple had hired to transport the guests and made plans to start photographing the groups inside.  During this time, the majority of the guests had been shower dodging - outside for the big group shot, then back inside to avoid the rain, then outside again as the sun came out.  We were delighted that it stayed out long enough to get some photographs of Pam and Aidan in the courtyard and all except the last two groups before the rain came again, forcing everyone indoors and us into the Great Hall to photograph it all set up whilst the couple spent some time with their guests.

Pam had a special request that she really wanted some bridal portraits taking in the Flemish Hall with its striking black and white tiled floor and as regular wedding photographers at Hazlewood Castle, we know that this is where guests mingle and chat. However, we knew how to get these images for Pam and we are delighted with the results.

With the rain now just a slight drizzle which we could easily ignore, Pam and Aidan joined us outside for some photographs featuring the spectacular backdrop of Hazlewood Castle, before moving from the castle into the marquee for their evening party and first dance. Pam asked for a couple of additional group photographs and once we'd done them, we suggested something fun - a twirl to show off that gorgeous dress of hers resulting in some images we absolutely love and hope she does too.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hughes and thank you for allowing us to share your wonderful wedding day which was lots of fun and full of laughter.

Wedding Photography Hazlewood Castle | Tracey and Patrick

On Saturday, 2 June, we had the pleasure of sharing Tracey and Paddy's special day as they married at St Augustine's Roman Catholic church in Leeds and then enjoyed a great celebration afterwards with lots of family and friends at Hazlewood Castle.

Although the weather was dull and overcast, this was brilliant for photographs and we were very happy that the rain held off all day, allowing us to work outside and make the most of the lovely locations on offer at Hazlewood Castle Hotel.

First stop of the day was at Tracey's parents' home where her dad, Tommy, gave us a very warm welcome and looked after us until the girls returned from having hair and make-up done.

As Leeds wedding photographers, we've worked at St Augustine's church before and we met up with Paddy and his attendants for their photographs, being joined around the same time by our friend, Alan Macmillan from Macmillan Films and his assistant, Jack, who were expertly capturing the day on video.

Tracey arrived with her proud dad for the ceremony and some time later, she and Paddy were showered with confetti, had a few photographs taken in the garden beside the church and then we left for Hazlewood Castle.  With the weather holding up nicely, everyone enjoyed the champagne and Peroni drinks reception in the courtyard whilst we got on with the group photos.

At our consultation a few weeks before the wedding, Tracey mentioned that she loves the Hollywood sign and so her dad made a very special gift for his daughter and her new husband, a Hollywood style Tracey & Patrick sign which was set up on the grass opposite the marquee. 

We love capturing the whole wedding day, although our favourite time is when we get the bride and groom on their own to create some of our signature shots and this is when we get some very special images for them.  As Hazlewood Castle wedding photographers, the only problem with this venue is that you're spoilt for choice when it comes to the backdrops to choose, but Tracey and Paddy were great to work with and up for giving anything we suggested a try, resulting in some fabulous images.

Following the wedding breakfast and the speeches, including a particularly touching one from Tracey's twin sister, Berni, we managed another short photography session with the new Mr and Mrs Heneghan before their evening guests arrived.  The evening party kicked off with Tracey and Paddy's first dance together, followed by some very lively music from the band, The Crackers, and some very lively dancing from a lot of the guests.  Tracey and Paddy's family and friends really know how to party!

Our sincere congratulations to you both and a huge thank you for choosing us to be there to capture your fabulous fun wedding.

We are recommended wedding photographers for Hazlewood Castle so please call us on 01977 730159 to check our availability on your wedding date.